The Central Election Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina has made a unanimous decision to remove Milorad Dodik from office as president of the Republika Srpska entity. This decision comes after Dodik was sentenced to one year in prison and banned from holding the office of president for six years, a decision that has directly affected his legitimacy to continue his mandate.
Responding to the CEC’s decision, Dodik expressed himself in insulting terms: “Another piece of s*** from Sarajevo.”
Dodik’s defense has the right to appeal the decision to the Appellate Department of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which handles appeals related to election processes. The appeal can be filed within two days of receiving the decision. After the appeal process is completed, the decision will become final.
After the decision enters into force, the CEC is expected to make a decision on the announcement and organization of early elections in Republika Srpska. Dodik’s lawyer, Goran Bubiq, has warned that he will request a temporary measure to postpone the execution of the sentence and will file an appeal with the Constitutional Court of Bosnia.
In an effort to retain power, Dodik and his SNSD party have called for the formation of a “government of national unity” and invited the opposition parties of Republika Srpska to cooperate. However, the opposition is currently unwilling to cooperate, following Dodik’s earlier insults, calling them “foreign mercenaries” and “servants of Sarajevo.”
So far, only the leader of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Drashko Stanivukovic, has not come out with a clear position regarding the SNSD invitation. The PDP’s decision is expected after the Presidency meeting to be held tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Government of Republika Srpska met yesterday and adopted eight conclusions, including rejecting the decision of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina and calling for political unity around Dodik.
A session of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska is also expected to be convened to discuss the situation.